Howard told the Los Angeles Lakers he would rather have Jackson grab the reins, SheridanHoops.com reports, citing a source close to the team. Also of note: The Lakers agreed to trade for Howard without a guarantee he would return, and need to re-sign him at the end of the year.

According to the LA Times, the Lakers plan to meet with Jackson soon, with one source telling the paper there is a "95 percent" chance Jackson returns.

Jackson has spent two separate stints as Lakers coach, winning five of his 11 total NBA titles. The other six came with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

Jackson’s last year with the Lakers mirrored Brown’s only full season. In the second round of the 2010-11 playoffs, the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks swept the Lakers with Jackson as coach. Lakers owner Jim Buss considered Brown to be the answer for a stagnant franchise. But under Brown, the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder disposed of the Lakers in five games to end 2011-12.

The Lakers are now 2-4 after winning their first game following Brown’s firing. Assistant Bernie Bickerstaff stepped in to lead the team to a 101-77 win over the Golden State Warriors. He could remain in control until the head coach comes on board, but does not expect to stay on beyond that, Yahoo! Sports reports. “He didn’t go to LA for that,” according to a Yahoo! Sports source.

If Jackson is brought in to take a permanent seat in Los Angeles, he will have assistants Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis, both of whom have said they would re-join Jackson’s staff, Yahoo! Sports reports.